Narrow profile composition-releasing expandable medical balloon catheter

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a composition-eluting balloon catheter ( 100 ) having a proximal ( 20 ) and distal ( 15 ) end, comprising an elongated catheter tube ( 6 ) with an inflation lumen ( 7 ) extending therewithin and at least one inflatable balloon ( 4 ) towards the distal end ( 15 ) in fluid communication with the inflation lumen ( 7 ), wherein the balloon ( 4 ) in the uninflated condition is provided as one or a plurality of folded wings ( 10′, 10 ″), and composition ( 12′, 12 ″) is provided essentially exclusively within the folds of the wings ( 10′, 10 ″), wherein the balloon ( 4 ) in the uninflated condition is further provided with a relief structure ( 30 ) comprising at least one groove on the outside of the folded wings ( 10′, 10 ″), configured to substantially reduce in depth in an inflated state of the balloon ( 4 ), and whereby the at least one groove is essentially devoid of composition ( 12′, 12 ″).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of drug-eluting medical ballooncatheters. More specifically, it is in the field of medical ballooncatheters having controllable composition release, particularly alimited release prior to balloon expansion at the site of treatment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Balloon catheters of various forms are commonly employed in a number ofsurgical procedures. These devices comprise a thin catheter tube thatcan be guided through a body conduit of a patient such as a blood vesseland a distensible balloon located at the distal end of the cathetertube. Actuation of the balloon is accomplished through use of a fluidfilled syringe or similar device that can inflate the balloon by fillingit with fluid (e.g., water or saline solution or contrast solution) to adesired degree of expansion and then deflate the balloon by withdrawingthe fluid back into the syringe.

In use, a physician will guide the balloon catheter into a desiredposition and then expand the balloon to accomplish the desired result(e.g., clear a blockage, or install or actuate some other device). Oncethe procedure is accomplished, the balloon is then deflated andwithdrawn from the blood vessel.

The balloon is commonly used to deploy a stent in order to permanentlyopen a blockage, which remains in place after the catheter is withdrawn.The stent may be coated with a substance that prevent tissuestenosis/restenosis or promotes healing of the injury caused by openingthe vessel.

While the use of a stent is established for blocked vessels, it is notalways the most appropriate treatment. Stent deployment is known tocause damage to the vessel wall which in itself can be the cause offurther vessel closure. When the stent is of the drug eluting variety,it is not possible to stop treatment without stent removal, entailingadditional surgical procedures. Delivering a precise and/or intermittenttreatment is also precluded by a drug-eluting stent, thus treatmentoptimization is not possible. Moreover, a stent is not suitable as avehicle of high-dose treatment regimens. In addition, it is not suitablefor treating large cavities, or cavities having a non-cylindricalprofile.

Coated balloons are useful for addressing the above, and are known inthe art for the delivery of active pharmaceutical substances. US2010/0076539, US 2009/0054837, WO 2009/111712, DE 20 2009 006 632, andUS 2006/0020243 describe coated balloons in which the activepharmaceutical substance is held between the balloon folds. A problem inthe art is systemic toxicity which arises from partial unfolding of thewings during advancement of the catheter through the vasculature, thebends of which can loosen the wings of conventionally folded balloons.

The present invention aims to overcome the problem of periodic deliveryof medicaments to cylindrical or non-cylindrical bodily cavities and toprovide a means to deliver doses that avoids systemic toxicity.

FIGURE LEGENDS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a composition-eluting medical ballooncatheter in the uninflated condition according to a particularembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view through a composition-elutingballoon of the catheter according to a particular embodiment of theinvention. The view is a cross-section through the line A-A′ in FIG. 1and perpendicular to the plane of the page.

FIG. 2 shows the view of balloon of FIG. 1A in an inflated condition,and the disposition of coated composition. The view is a cross-sectionsthrough the line A-A′ in FIG. 1 and perpendicular to the plane of thepage.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show the steps of folding composition-coated wings of aballoon in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention; theviews are cross-sections through the line A-A′ in FIG. 1 andperpendicular to the plane of the page.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a composition-eluting medicalballoon portion of the catheter in the uninflated condition disposedwith a relief pattern in the form of a single helical groove accordingto a particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a composition-eluting medicalballoon of FIG. 4A in the inflated condition.

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a composition-eluting medicalballoon portion of the catheter in the uninflated condition disposedwith a relief pattern in the form of a two helical grooves according toa particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a composition-eluting medicalballoon catheter of FIG. 5A in the inflated condition.

FIG. 6 Graph depicting the results of experiment 6 i.e. paclitaxel dosedelivered to the arterial wall as a function of paclitaxel (PTX)concentration on the balloon.

FIG. 7 Graph depicting the results of experiment 7 i.e. paclitaxel dosedelivered to the arterial wall as a function of multiple inflations atthe same location.

FIG. 8 Graph depicting the results of experiment 8 i.e. paclitaxel dosedelivered to the arterial wall as a function of multiple inflations todifferent locations.

FIG. 9 Graph depicting the results of experiment 9 i.e. paclitaxel dosedelivered to the arterial wall as a function of inflation time.

FIG. 10 Graph depicting the results of experiment 11 i.e. paclitaxeldose delivered to the arterial wall as a function of paclitaxel (PTX)concentration on the balloon disposed with a stent.

FIG. 11 Graph depicting the results of experiment 12 i.e. paclitaxeldose delivered to the arterial wall as a function of multiple inflationsat the same location; the balloon is disposed with a stent.

FIG. 12 Graph depicting the results of experiment 9 i.e. paclitaxel dosedelivered to the arterial wall as a function of inflation time; theballoon is disposed with a stent.

SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention is a composition-eluting ballooncatheter (100) having a proximal (20) and distal (15) end, comprising anelongated catheter tube (6) with an inflation lumen (7) extendingtherewithin and at least one inflatable balloon (4) towards the distalend (15) in fluid communication with the inflation lumen (7), wherein:

-   -   the balloon (4) in the uninflated condition is configured as a        one or a plurality of folded wings (10′, 10″), and    -   composition (12′, 12″) is provided essentially exclusively        within the folds of the wings (10′, 10″) in such a manner that        release of the composition is reduced or prevented until after        inflation of the balloon has commenced.

Another embodiment of the invention is composition-eluting ballooncatheter (100) having a proximal (20) and distal (15) end, comprising anelongated catheter tube (6) with an inflation lumen (7) extendingtherewithin and at least one inflatable balloon (4) having a centrallongitudinal balloon axis (B-B′) towards the distal end (15) in fluidcommunication with the inflation lumen (7), wherein:

-   -   the balloon (4) in the uninflated condition is configured as a        one or a plurality of folded wings (10′, 10″), and    -   composition (12′, 12″) is provided essentially exclusively        within the folds of the wings (10′, 10″) in such a manner that        release of the composition is reduced or prevented until after        inflation of the balloon has commenced,    -   wherein the balloon (4) in the folded condition is further        provided with a relief structure (30) comprising at least one        groove on the outside of the folded wings (10′, 10″), configured        to substantially reduce in depth in an inflated state of the        balloon (4), and    -   whereby the at least one groove is essentially devoid of        composition (12′, 12″).

A particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the at least one groove (32) has a directionalcomponent which is transverse to the central longitudinal axis (B-B′) ofthe balloon (4).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above,

wherein the wings (10′, 10″) are folded around a central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) of the balloon (4).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the outside of the balloon (4) in theuninflated state is provided with a relief structure (30), configured tosubstantially reduce in depth in an inflated state of the balloon.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein in an uninflated state the relief structurecomprises at least one groove (32), wherein the at least one groove (32)has a directional component which is transverse to a longitudinal axisof the balloon (4).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, whereby the at least one groove (32) extends at apredetermined angle with regard to the longitudinal axis of the balloon(4).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein at least two grooves (33, 34) extend from thedistal end (15) to the proximal end (20) of the balloon (4) and crosseach other.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, whereby the at least one groove (32) is ring or ovalshaped, and has a directional component which is transverse to a centrallongitudinal axis (B-B′) of the balloon (4).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the at least one groove (32) crosses the outeredge of at least one folded wing (10′, 10″).

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, whereby the groove (32) extends from the distal end(15) to the proximal end (20) of the balloon (4), over the outsidesurface thereof.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein at least two grooves (33, 34) extend from thedistal end (15) to the proximal end (20) of the balloon (4) and crosseach other.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the composition comprises paclitaxel.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the composition comprises:

-   -   one or more of paclitaxel, melatonin, thalidomide, sirolimus,        zotarolimus, everolimus, biolimus, 17-β estradiol, actinomucin        D, docetaxel, and/or any derivatives thereof, or    -   one or more of cis-platin, paclitaxel, etoposide, amasecrine,        teniposide, irinotecan, toptecan, doxorubicin, epirubicin,        bleomycin, and/or any derivatives thereof, or    -   one or more of penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin,        clindamycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, amoxicillin, cefaclor,        lincomycin, clarithromycin, cephalosporins, azithromycin,        doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, levofloxacin,        chloramphenicol, minocycline, penicillins, vancomycin,        kanamycin, gentamicins, neomycin, ceftriaxone, bacitracin,        oxacillin, cloxacillin, cephalothin, amoxicillin, dicloxacillin,        aminoglycosides, methicillin, carbenicillin, gentamicin,        trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, rifampin, tetracyclines,        polymyxins, cephalexin, chlortetracycline, metronidazole and/or        any derivatives thereof.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the balloon is provided with a hydrophiliccoating onto which the composition (12′, 12″) is at least partiallydisposed.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, wherein the hydrophilic coating is any ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or copolymers containing N-vinylpyrrolidone,poly (meth) acrylic acid or copolymers containing (meth) acrylic acid or(meth) acrylic acid esters, polyacrylamides, polyvinylalcohol andcopolymers of partially saponified vinylacetate copolymers,polyethylenglycol, polyvinylmethylether, polyvinylmethylether-maleicanhydride and copolymers containing maleic-anhydride ormaleic-acidesters or copolymers containing vinylmethylether, orcopolymers thereof, or water soluble polysaccharides or derivativesthereof such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or hydroxyethylcellulose orXanthane or a derivative thereof to the liquid for wetting a hydrophiliccoating.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, further provided with a stent.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above,

wherein the stent is made from any of stainless steel, tantalum,titanium alloy, nitinol, cobalt alloy, cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy,cobalt-chromium alloy, cobalt-chromium F562, or magnesium alloys.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, obtainable by a process comprising the steps:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing (10′, 10″) at leastpartially with a hydrophilic coating;b) applying the composition (12′, 12″) in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol, at least partially over the coated surface;c) folding the balloon wings (10′, 10″) around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) such that applied composition (12′, 12″) is disposedwithin the folds of the wings; andd) removing excess composition (12′, 12″) from the surface of the foldedballoon.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, further comprising the step of applying a reliefstructure as defined above, to the surface of the balloon after folding.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, that is a rapid exchange catheter.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a balloon catheter asdescribed above, that is an over-the-wire catheter.

Another embodiment of the invention is a process for obtaining acomposition-eluting balloon catheter (100) having a proximal (20) anddistal (15) end, comprising an elongated catheter tube (6) with aninflation lumen (7) extending therewithin and at least one inflatableballoon (4) having a central longitudinal balloon axis (B-B′) towardsthe distal end (15) in fluid communication with the inflation lumen (7),wherein the balloon (4) in the uninflated condition is configured as oneor a plurality of folded wings (10′, 10″) comprising the steps:

a) applying the composition (12′, 12″) at least partially over one orboth surfaces of the balloon wing;b) folding the balloon wings (10′, 10″) around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) such that applied composition (12′, 12″) is disposedwithin the folds of the wings;c) removing excess composition (12′, 12″) from the surface of the foldedballoon; andd) applying a relief structure (30) to the balloon (4) in the foldedcondition, comprising at least one groove on the outside of the foldedwings (10′, 10″), configured to substantially reduce in depth in aninflated state of the balloon (4), which at least one groove isessentially devoid of composition (12′, 12″).

A particular embodiment of the invention is a process as describedabove, wherein:

-   -   one or both surfaces of the balloon wings (10′, 10″) are at        least partially with a hydrophilic coating, prior to application        of the composition; and    -   the composition (12′, 12″) is applied in a solution of organic        solvent preferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl        acetate, more preferably ethanol, at least partially over the        coated surface;

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a process as describedabove, wherein the relief structure has one or more of the featuresdescribed above.

Another embodiment of the invention is a composition-eluting ballooncatheter (100) obtainable by a process described above.

Another particular embodiment of the invention is a composition-elutingballoon catheter (100), further provided with a guidewire lumen for arapid exchange catheter or an over the wire catheter mode of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart. All publications referenced herein are incorporated by referencethereto. All United States patents and patent applications referencedherein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety includingthe drawings.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to morethan one, i.e. to at least one of the grammatical object of the article.By way of example, “a medicament” means one medicament or more than onemedicament.

Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that avalue includes the standard deviation of error for the device or methodbeing employed to determine the value.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integernumbers and, where appropriate, fractions subsumed within that range(e.g. 1 to 5 can include 1, 2, 3, 4 when referring to, for example, anumber of articles, and can also include 1.5, 2, 2.75 and 3.80, whenreferring to, for example, measurements).

The terms “distal”, “distal end”, “proximal” and “proximal end” are usedthrough the specification, and are terms generally understood in thefield to mean towards (proximal) or away (distal) from the surgeon sideof the apparatus. Thus, “proximal (end)” means towards the surgeon sideand, therefore, away from the patient side. Conversely, “distal (end)”means towards the patient side and, therefore, away from the surgeonside.

The present invention concerns a composition (drug ormedicament)-eluting balloon catheter configured to release compositionafter inflation of the balloon has been initiated. The balloon issuitable for the delivery of composition to tissue and cells present ina cavity of a subject, when the balloon is inflated and the ballooncontacts at least part of the cavity wall. The balloon in the uninflatedcondition comprises one or a plurality of folded wings, and compositionis provided within the folds of the wings, in such a manner that releaseof the composition is reduced or prevented until after inflation of theballoon has been initiated. The composition is present essentiallyexclusively within the balloon folds. In other words, the outer surfaceof the folded balloon is essentially devoid of composition. The foldsprotect the composition from exposure to an environment, such as aliquid environment, that would otherwise initiate diffusion. In otherwords, the use of the folds reduces or prevents natural diffusion insitu of composition prior to inflation. In cases where the site oftreatment is located some distance from the point of entry of thecatheter, it can take a surgeon time to advance and position the ballooncorrectly e.g. when advanced along the vasculature from an entry pointin the groin to a vessel in the vicinity of the heart. In cases where avery high dose of medicament is to be administered, the balloon isdisposed with a high concentration of active ingredient which willcommence diffusion from the moment it enters an aqueous environment forexample in the vasculature. The arrangement of the present inventionsubstantially limits unwarranted diffusion, reducing systemic toxicityand increasing locally-deliverable dose. Moreover, it provides adrug-eluting catheter having a substantially reduced profile.

The medical balloon catheter is of any design where a catheter isdisposed with a balloon. Typically, it has a proximal end and distalend, and comprises an elongated catheter tube with an inflation lumenextending therewithin and at least one inflatable balloon towards thedistal end in fluid communication with the catheter tube inflationlumen. The inflation lumen is open at the proximal end, that permits thecatheter tube to couple with an inflation means such as a syringe. Themedical balloon catheter may be extended at the distal end by a flexibletip. The catheter may be a rapid-exchange or over-the-wire type whichtypes are well understood in the art.

The size of the medical balloon catheter is sufficiently narrow tointroduce through the appropriate passage way e.g. nasopharyngeal route,vaginal and cervical route, or through a skin puncture.

FIG. 1 shows a typical balloon catheter in the uninflated state providedwith folded wings, and FIG. 1A shows a transverse cross-section (A-A′)through the balloon of FIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, aballoon catheter 100 of the invention comprises a balloon 4 mounted atthe distal end 15 of an elongated flexible shaft 6 and terminating in aflexible tip 8. Balloon 4 has a balloon wall. The catheter 100 may beconventional in construction, providing an inflation lumen 7 in fluidcommunication with a balloon 4 lumen 5 for inflation and deflation.

The lumen is open at the proximal end. The catheter 100 allows inflationof the balloon 4 after placement in the cavity. Once in the cavity andafter inflation, the catheter 100 remains in place for the duration ofthe treatment. It may provide treatments in addition to those deliveredby the balloon 4, for example, through the catheter shaft 6. Forinstance, the catheter 100 may also be used to deliver circulatingheating fluid, circulating cooling fluid, liquid medicament, radiopaqueliquid tracer or ionizing or non-ionizing radiation to the balloon whoseradiation can pass through the wall of the balloon 4. The catheter 100can be single or multichannel, depending on the requirements ofinflation, guidewire lumens, and delivery of other substances. Thecatheter may be provided with a guidewire lumen. The catheter 100 may besuitable for advancement over a guidewire in an over-the-wire mode inwhich case a guidewire lumen is provided from distal to proximal end oftotal catheter, or rapid-exchange mode, in which case a distal sideguidewire lumen and terminal ports are provided. The guidewire lumen maybe disposed within the inflation lumen 7 of the shaft 6.

The balloon in the uninflated condition comprises one or a plurality(e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of folded wings 10′, 10″. The wings 10′, 10″ may befolded in any fashion, preferably folded around a central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) as is well known in the art, and shown, for instancein FIG. 1A, to form the narrow cylindrical balloon profile. As is wellunderstood, the wing 10′, 10″ structure is formed from the balloon in aflattened condition, each wing extending from the outer radial balloonedge towards the central (B-B′) axis. Prior to folding, the wings may beradially extending, spaced from one another in the circumferentialdirection around the central longitudinal axis of the balloon. A wing10′, 10″ in the folded condition is generally devoid of inflationmedium, gaseous or fluid; FIGS. 1A, 3A to 3D indicate the presence of avoid in the wings solely for reasons of clarity. The fold of a wing maybe considered the region between an outside surface of a wing, and thesurfaces it overlaps after folding. With reference to FIG. 1A,composition 12′, 12″ is provided at least partly between the fold of awing 10′, 10″, the wing 10′, 10″ acting as a moisture-resistant barrieragainst exposure of the medicament to a fluidic environment in situ.Inflation causes the wings to unfold so exposing the composition 12′,12″ to a fluidic environment and initiating diffusion. In the fullyinflated condition, as shown in FIG. 2, the wings 10′, 10″ lose theirform, adopting a tubular balloon 4 configuration. Depending on thedegree of overlap between the folded wings, and the number of foldscontaining composition, almost the entire surface of the balloon 4 maybe coated with said composition 12′a, 12′b, 12″a, 12″b in the inflatedstate. By taking advantage of the wing's inherent moisture impermeableproperty, no additional sheaths or covers are required to protect thecomposition during balloon placement. Thereby, the composition elutingballoon catheter has a narrow profile, and because no additionalcomponents are needed, the construction or adaptation costs are low.

The balloon is suitable for insertion into a cavity, which afterinsertion and inflation at least partly contacts the cavity wall of asubject for the delivery of composition. Various types of balloon areknown with a plurality of shapes and features suited, after inflation,to the cavity shape and treatment regime. For example, a balloon afterinflation may be longitudinal, ovoid, conical, cylindrical, barrel,hour-glass, bullet shaped or any shape that can accommodate the cavityreceiving treatment.

In preparing the balloon 4 according to the invention, the uninflatedballoon is arranged, depending on the size of the balloon, into 1, 2, 3,4, 5, or 6 wings 10′, 10″, in a manner known per se to provide apropeller-type profile as shown, for instance, in FIG. 3A, each winghaving two opposing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, one or bothsurfaces of a wing, (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more wings, preferablyeach and every wing) is at least partially coated with composition; inFIG. 3B one surface of each wing is partially coated with composition12′, 12″. When one surface is coated, the composition coated surface ispreferably that which folds towards the central longitudinal balloonaxis (B-B′). Coating may be effected by dripping, dipping, brushing, orspraying the composition, or by any other means. The wings are folded(FIG. 3C) in a clock-wise or anti-clockwise direction, depending on thecoated surface, such that the composition 12′, 12″ lies substantially inthe fold created by the wing; in the case of FIG. 3C, the wings arefolded in an anti-clockwise direction when viewed in the direction fromthe distal 15 to the proximal 20 end of the balloon 4. Folding creates aballoon (FIG. 3D) containing composition 12′, 12″ essentially sealedfrom the environment by virtue of the moisture impermeable balloon wings10′, 10″. Excess composition on the folded balloon surface can beremoved. The folded balloon so formed has compact and narrow profilethat makes it possible to guide the balloon catheter through vessel andlumina. While the above provides a general guidance, the skilled personwill understand the routine variations and adaptations that can bereadily implemented; these variations also fall under the scope of theinvention. For instance, FIG. 3B to 3C show medicament coated on onesurface of each wing, however, the composition may also be at leastpartially coated on both surfaces, the excess composition removed,and/or the coating restricted to parts of the wing anticipated to form afold.

The outer surface of the balloon 4 may be pre-treated with a hydrophilicsubstance i.e. prior to application of the composition. The hydrophilicsubstance acts as a base onto which the composition is applied. Theballoon is first coated with the hydrophilic substance, then thehydrophilic substance is coated with the composition. The hydrophilicsubstance increases adhesion of the composition to the balloon 4surface. One or both surfaces of each wing may be at least partiallycoated with hydrophilic substance. It is understood that when onesurface of the wing is treated with hydrophilic substance, the samesurface is provided with composition. When both surfaces of the wingsare treated, the hydrophilic substance serves to increase the lubricityof the cathether during advancement to the site of treatment.Hydrophilic treatment may be effected by dripping, dipping, brushing,spraying the hydrophilic substance onto the balloon, or any other means.Once it has dried partially or completely, the composition may be laterapplied thereover. The balloon provided with the hydrophilic coating mayapply to a balloon of the invention. It may also apply to any drugeluting balloon of the art or future balloon; the composition need notbe restricted to the folds of the balloon, and the balloon may notnecessarily be provided with the additional relief structure describedbelow.

Hydrophilic substances are well known in the art, as coatings formedical devices. Whereas such coating is not particularly smooth whendry, so that the handling of the device may become inconvenient, itbecomes extremely slippery when it is swelled with water, preferablyimmediately before introduction into the human body and thus ensures asubstantially smooth introduction with a minimum of tissue damage.

Hydrophilic coatings are described variously in U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,728,WO 86/06284, GB 2 284 764, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,704 which areincorporated herein by reference.

Methods are known in the art for coating the surface of a balloon with ahydrophilic coating. These methods are most often based on the fact thatthe balloon to be provided with a hydrophilic surface coating, in thecourse of one or more process stages with intermediary drying andcuring, is coated with one or more (mostly two) layers, which arebrought to react with one another in various ways, for example, bypolymerisation initiated by irradiation, by UV light, by graftpolymerisation, by the formation of interpolymeric network structures,or by direct chemical reaction. Known hydrophilic coatings and processesfor the application thereof are disclosed, for example, in DE 159,018,EP 0 389 632, EP 0 379 156, EP 0 454 293, EP 0 093 093 B2, GB 1,600,963,U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,094, U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,009, U.S. Pat. No.4,792,914, U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,100 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,816, WO90/05162 and WO 91/19756 which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, the hydrophilicsubstance is coated onto the balloon by applying, in two stages or inone combined stage, on the balloon, a primer reactive with or adhesiveto the balloon and then the actual hydrophilic substance.

The hydrophilic substance may comprise a hydrophilic polymer, forexample, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or copolymers containingN-vinylpyrrolidone, poly (meth) acrylic acid or copolymers containing(meth) acrylic acid or (meth) acrylic acid esters, polyacrylamides,polyvinylalcohol and copolymers of partially saponified vinylacetatecopolymers, polyethylenglycol, polyvinylmethylether,polyvinylmethylether-maleic anhydride and copolymers containingmaleic-anhydride or maleic-acidesters or copolymers containingvinylmethylether, or copolymers thereof, or water solublepolysaccharides or derivatives thereof such as carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) or hydroxyethylcellulose or Xanthane or a derivative thereof tothe liquid for wetting a hydrophilic coating. Suitable hydrophilicpolymers may be mixtures of the preferred species stated above. In anespecially preferred embodiment of the invention the hydrophilicsubstance comprises a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP).

When the hydrophilic substance is polyvinyl pyrrolidone, the amount tobe used according to the invention may vary and depends inter alia onthe molecular weight of the specific PVP. The higher the molecularweight, the higher is the tendency of gelling. Thus, the use of higheramounts of low molecular weight PVP gives an effect similar to the useof lower amounts of a higher molecular weight PVP. The amount of a PVPof a given molecular weight PVP to be used is easily determined by theskilled in the art by routine experiments testing the water retention.

The composition may be applied to the balloon using any suitabletechnique such as dripping, dipping, brushing, spraying, or any othermeans. In a preferable embodiment the composition is applied in asolution of an organic solvent, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol,acetone, or ethyl acetate in high purity. The solvent evaporates aftercoating leaving little or no residue. Preferably, the organic solvent isselected to be fast-evaporating, leaving no or little residue.

The use of a hydrophilic coating and application of the composition in asolution of an organic solvent provides a uniform dispersion ofmedicament on the balloon, avoiding the formation of crystallinepatches. Moreover, it provides a smooth surface. The combination alsoreduces or prevents the release of fragmented particles of compositionupon expansion of the balloon, thereby delivering medicament locally tothe wall of the cavity being treated, and reducing systemic release.

The present inventors have found that the composition, namely themedicament, is retained on the balloon pre-treated with a hydrophiliccoating. After exposure of the un-inflated balloon to an aqueousenvironment such as a water bath, the medicament is substantiallyretained. Retention of the medicament is observed even when thecomposition is not sealed within the balloon folds.

Additionally, the balloon pre-treated with hydrophilic substanceadvantageously substantially releases composition to the cavity wallonly after inflation of the balloon. Release may be controlled byinflation and deflation, namely when the balloon is inflated,composition is released, and when the balloon is deflated, release ofcomposition is effectively stopped. Where the balloon inflates and thereis no contact by the balloon with the cavity wall, release ofcomposition is minimised. This allows multiple inflation and deflationof the balloon in the same or at different locations, each inflationadministering a separate dose.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition comprisespaclitaxel, or melatonin or a combination of both in ethanol that isapplied to the balloon pre-treated with a hydrophilic coating. Usingsuch a formulation, the solvent is rapidly evaporated leaving paclitaxeland/or melatonin evenly distributed, and without the formation of largecrystals. Moreover, a good adhesion of the active compounds is achieved,the composition layer more resistant to the release of particulatemedicament during or after balloon inflation.

Accordingly, in a particular embodiment of the invention is a processfor obtaining a balloon catheter as described herein comprising thesteps performed in the following order:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing 10′, 10″ at leastpartially with a hydrophilic coating;b) applying the composition 12′, 12″ in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol, at least partially over the coated surface;c) folding the balloon wings 10′, 10″ around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) such that applied composition 12′, 12″ is disposedwithin the folds of the wings; andd) removing excess composition 12′, 12″ from the surface of the foldedballoon.

A further embodiment of the invention is a balloon 4 as described hereinobtainable by a process comprising the steps:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing 10′, 10″ at leastpartially with a hydrophilic coating;b) applying the composition 12, 12′, 12″ in a solution of organicsolvent preferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol at least partially over the coated surfaces;c) folding the balloon wings 10′, 10″ around the central longitudinalballoon axis B-B′ such that applied composition 12′, 12″ is disposedwithin the folds of the wings; andd) removing excess composition 12′, 12″ from the surface of the foldedballoon.

As mentioned above, the hydrophilic coating may be applied to anyballoon of the art or future balloon, and is not limited to the balloonsdescribed herein having composition exclusively between the folds and/orbeing provided with a relief structure (described below). Accordingly,one embodiment of the invention is a composition-eluting ballooncatheter 100 having a proximal 20 and distal 15 end, comprising anelongated catheter tube 6 with an inflation lumen 7 extendingtherewithin and at least one inflatable balloon 4—having a centrallongitudinal balloon axis B-B′—towards the distal end 15 in fluidcommunication with the inflation lumen 7, wherein the composition 12′,12″ is at least partially disposed over a hydrophilic coating providedon the balloon. Such balloon may optionally be provided with a stent, asdiscussed elsewhere herein.

Another embodiment of the invention is a process for obtaining a balloonas defined above comprising the steps performed in the following order:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing (10′, 10″) at leastpartially with a hydrophilic coating;b) applying the composition (12′, 12″) in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol, at least partially over the coated surface;c) folding the balloon wings (10′, 10″) around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′), thereby obtaining a composition-eluting balloon.

Suitable hydrophilic coatings and examples of compositions are describedelsewhere herein. Aspects and embodiments described herein in regard ofthe composition provided exclusively between the folds and/or beingprovided with a relief structure also apply to such balloons of the artor future balloons coated with the hydrophilic coating.

While the hydrophilic coating and composition and are described above asbeing separately and sequentially applied to the balloon, it will beappreciated that the composition may be applied to the outer surface ofthe balloon 4 as a mixture with a hydrophilic substance i.e. compositionand hydrophilic substance are simultaneously applied.

Accordingly, in a particular embodiment of the invention is a processfor obtaining a balloon catheter as described herein comprising thesteps performed in the following order:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing 10′, 10″ at leastpartially with a mixture comprising a hydrophilic coating andcomposition 12′, 12″, optionally in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol;c) folding the balloon wings 10′, 10″ around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′) such that applied mixture is disposed within thefolds of the wings; andd) optionally removing excess mixture from the surface of the foldedballoon.

Another embodiment of the invention is a process for obtaining a balloonas described above comprising the steps performed in the followingorder:

a) coating one or both surfaces of a balloon wing 10′, 10″ at leastpartially with a mixture comprising a hydrophilic coating andcomposition 12′, 12″, optionally in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol;b) folding the balloon wings 10′, 10″ around the central longitudinalballoon axis (B-B′), thereby obtaining a composition-eluting balloon.

The invention also provides a balloon catheter obtained by one of theseprocesses. Suitable hydrophilic coatings and examples of compositionsare described elsewhere herein. Aspects and embodiments described hereinin regard of the composition provided exclusively between the foldsand/or being provided with a relief structure also apply to suchballoons of the art or future balloons coated with the hydrophiliccoating.

The wings 10′, 10″ of the balloon 4 may be maintained in the foldedcondition by dint of a substance having light adhesive property presentin the composition, or disposed over the wing edges. Alternatively or inaddition, the folded wings may be subjected to a heat and/or pressuretreatment to maintain their structure, the parameters of which willdepend on the lability of the composition. Additionally oralternatively, and preferably, the folded state may be maintained byintroducing a relief structure, namely a pattern of grooves applied tothe outer surface of the folded wings of the balloon. When applied to acomposition-eluting balloon, this relief structure technology is knownas “Wing-Seal” herein. Accordingly, the processes for obtaining aballoon stent according to the present invention may further comprisethe step of introducing a relief structure to the outer surface of thefolded wings of the balloon as will be described below.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, in an uninflated(folded) state (FIGS. 4A and 5A), the outside surface of balloon 4 has arelief structure 30 configured, in the inflated state, to reduce indepth (FIGS. 4B and 5B). In other words, the balloon 4 in the uninflated(folded) condition is further provided with a relief structure 30comprising at least one groove on the outside of the plurality of foldedwings 10′, 10″. Thus, in the uninflated condition, the relief has acertain (average) impression depth that, upon inflation, issubstantially reduced i.e. it becomes more shallow; the relief structuremay be flattened-out upon inflation. The relief structure not only givesthe catheter its required flexibility, it also maintains the wings in afolded condition, and reduces fluid ingress into the wing folds. Inparticular, it prevents the balloon wings from partially unfoldingduring advancement of the catheter through the vasculature, the bends ofwhich can loosen the wings of conventionally folded balloons. Byemploying a relief structure, the composition is effectively sealedbetween the wing folds, reducing composition diffusion even when thecatheter is advanced through highly tortuous routes which normally flexthe folded balloon and instigate unfolding. Since no additionalmembranes or bands placed over the balloon are needed to maintainballoon integrity, the balloon profile is also narrower.

According to particular embodiments, the balloon 4 in the uninflatedcondition is thus further provided with a relief structure 30 comprisingat least one groove on the outside of the plurality of folded wings 10′,10″. The at least one groove may be essentially devoid of composition.Where there is more than one groove, preferably each and every groovemay be essentially devoid of composition.

In a particular embodiment according to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the reliefstructure 30 comprises at least one groove or indentation 32, whichextends helically from the distal 15 to the proximal 20 end of theballoon 4, over the outside surface thereof. The uninflated balloon 4has thereby obtained a helical relief surface. In the second embodimentaccording to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the relief structure 30 comprises twogrooves 33, 34, which extend helically from the distal 15 to theproximal 20 end of the balloon 4 and thereby cross each other. Theuninflated balloon 4 has hereby obtained a padded relief surface.

Other relief structures are possible, provided that the relief structureon the catheter creates the necessary sealing effect and flexibility ina direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the balloon. Forexample, the relief structure may comprise a series of circumferentialgroves that are ring (O-shaped), oval or C-shaped. Generally, the groovehas a directional component that is transverse to the longitudinal axis(B-B′) of the balloon. The number of grooves may be 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 or more, or a value in the rangebetween any two of the aforementioned value, depending on the size ofthe balloon.

One way of obtaining the relief structure as shown in the drawings is bywinding a wire helically around the balloon 4 as described for instancein US 2003/0014100 and US 2003/0014070. If the wire is wound only in theforward direction, the structure according to FIG. 4A is obtained, andif the wire is also wound in the return direction, the structure in FIG.5A is obtained. After the wire has been wound around the balloonpressure is raised inside of the balloon, in such a way that, in anuninflated state, the balloon obtains a relief structure that ondilating of the balloon at the dilatation site in the vessel or lumenwill reduce in depth, for example, virtually or completely disappear.The balloon may optionally be heated while under the raised pressure.The precise temperate and duration of heating can be determinedoptimally according to the lability of the composition.

Instead of winding a wire, the balloon may be placed in a mould, whichis provided with the relief pattern required in order for it to obtain,under raised pressure and optionally raised temperature, the reliefstructure required.

Another way to achieve the relief structure is to crimp the pattern ontothe surface, i.e. by the application of radial pressure to the outersurface of the folded balloon. The radial pressure is applied by a presshaving a central press axis disposed with a plurality of press jaws,configured to move radially towards the central press axis. The pressingend of the press jaws are disposed with the relief structure, andimpress on the folded balloon when the jaws are in the closed position.In such a way, a relief structure is imparted. In a preferredembodiment, the jaws may hammer the relief structure on to the balloon;according to one aspect of the invention, the jaws deliver a pluralityof hammer blows. The hammer blows may be delivered at a frequency in therange of 1 to 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 or more blowsper second. Crimping devices suitable for applying the relief structureare well known in the art, for example, those manufactured by Fortimedixand Machine Solution Inc.

Before the balloon is provided with its relief structure, preferably itis folded in the usual way in order to reduce its profile. By applyingthe relief structure, the profile will be reduced still further as anadditional, advantageous effect.

Note that, although it is not shown in the drawings, it is possible toprovide the outside surface of the balloon with various helical groovesthat cross each other.

A catheter 100 is made of any biocompatible materials known in the artof catheter construction. Suitable biocompatible materials include, butare not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethanes,polyamide, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) or polyesters andcopolymers thereof for the shaft 6; and any suitable elastomeric polymermaterial having moisture impermeable properties, able to withstandinflation pressure, such as polyamide (e.g. PA11, PA12), nylons, PEBAX™,polyethylene, latex rubber, elastic, or plastic for the balloon 4. Atypical balloon catheter useful for the present invention is described,for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,839, however, the present inventionis no way limited to the given instance, and can be applied to anymedical balloon catheter.

The balloon 4 may optionally be provided with a stent. The stent isfitted at least partially, preferably entirely over the balloon 4. Thestent is preferably a non-drug eluting stent, though drug-eluting stentsare not excluded. As mentioned elsewhere herein, the balloon 4 disposedwith the stent may or may not be provided with the aforementionedhydrophilic coating. Additionally or independently, said balloon may ormay not have composition exclusively between the folds. Additionally orindependently, said balloon may or may not have the aforementionedrelief structure.

Stents have been extensively described in the art. For example they maybe cylinders which are perforated with passages that are slots, ovoid,circular, regular, irregular or the like shape. They may also becomposed of helically wound or serpentine wire structures in which thespaces between the wires form the passages. Stents may also be flatperforated structures that are subsequently rolled to form tubularstructures or cylindrical structures that are woven, wrapped, drilled,etched or cut to form passages. A stent may also be combined with agraft to form a composite medical device, often referred to as a stentgraft.

Stents may be made of biocompatible materials including biostable andbioabsorbable materials. Suitable biocompatible metals include, but arenot limited to, stainless steel, tantalum, titanium alloys (includingnitinol), and cobalt alloys (including cobalt-chromium-nickel alloys,cobalt-chromium alloy and cobalt-chromium F562). Stents may be made ofbiocompatible and bioabsorbable materials such as magnesium basedalloys. Bioabsorbable stents may inserted at the site of treatment, andleft in place. The structure of the bioabsorbable stent is degraded withtime.

Suitable non-metallic biocompatible materials include, but are notlimited to, polyamides, polyolefins (i.e. polypropylene, polyethyleneetc.), nonabsorbable polyesters (i.e. polyethylene terephthalate), andbioabsorbable aliphatic polyesters (i.e. homopolymers and copolymers oflactic acid, glycolic acid, lactide, glycolide, para-dioxanone,trimethylene carbonate, epsilon-caprolactone, etc. and blends thereof),lactide capronolactone, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA),polyglycolide (PGA), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (PLLA/PLA),poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLA/PGA), poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLA/PGA), poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) (PGA/PTMC),polyethylene oxide (PEO), polydioxanone (PDS), polycaprolactone (PCL),polyhydroxylbutyrate (PHBT), poly(phosphazene),polyD,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL),poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGA/PCL), polyanhydrides (PAN),poly(ortho esters), poly(phoshate ester), poly(amino acid), poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyacrylate, polyacrylamid, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),elastin polypeptide co-polymer, polyurethane, starch, polysiloxane andtheir copolymers.

A stent can be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The stent may alsobe made from different sorts of wires, for instance from polymericbiodegradable wires containing the active compound, interweaved with themetallic struts of the stent (balloon expendable or self-expandablestent). Self-expanding stents may be braided, from flexible metal, suchas special alloys, from nitinol, from phynox. Self-expandable stentsmade from nitinol may be laser cut.

According to the present invention, the composition-eluting balloon ofthe invention may be placed on or adjacent to cells or tissue present ina bodily cavity that require treatment. The invention is particularlysuited to the delivery of a high dose of medicament over a short timeperiod. The period will depend on the location of treatment, forinstance, delivery to the wall of a blood vessel, which will causeblockage after balloon inflation, may necessitate a shorter deliveryperiod compared with delivery to the wall of the oesophasgus. As ageneral guidance, the delivery period may be equal to or less than 10seconds (s), 20 s, 30 s, 40 s, 50 s, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes or 1 hour, or a value in therange between any two of the aforementioned values, preferably between30 seconds and 10 minutes for use in the vasculature.

A medical balloon catheter may be inserted into a cavity, for instance,a blood vessel of a subject and advanced therein until the balloon is inthe vicinity of the treatment site that might be a stenosed region.After inflation, the expanded balloon contacts the cavity wall,delivering composition to the surrounding tissue and cells for a period.When the delivery period has expired, the balloon is deflated andwithdrawn; alternatively it may be re-inflated for a further deliveryfor a defined period.

A cavity may be a natural bodily cavity such as a duct, vascular duct, abronchial duct, a biliary duct, the oesophasgus, digestive tract,urethral duct, uretheral duct, uterus, stomach, arteries, veins,urethral duct, aeric tract, the urogenital tract, nasopharyngeal area,the pharynx, the small and large bowels, the rectum, the trachea, theuterine cavity, the uterine cervix, the vagina, the urethra, and thebladder or colon. The natural cavity can be any walled cavity of asubject suitable for placing the balloon therein. Such cavity may benarrowed by a medical condition such as stenosis, cancer, benigntumours, or invasion of a cancer originating from the wall or passingthrough the wall of a duct.

The composition according to the invention comprises a medicament forthe treatment of tissues and cells present in the cavity. Examples ofmedicaments suitable for the treatment of stenosis or restenosis includeone or more of paclitaxel, taxol, melatonin, thalidomide, sirolimus,zotarolimus, everolimus, biolimus, 17-β estradiol, actinomucin D,docetaxel, and/or any derivatives thereof. The composition may comprisepaclitaxel, melatonin, or a combination of paclitaxel and melatonin. Apreferred medicament is paclitaxel, even more preferred is paclitaxelnot in combination with melatonin.

Examples of medicaments suitable for the treatment of tumours includeone or more of cis-platin, paclitaxel, etoposide, amasecrine,teniposide, irinotecan, toptecan, doxorubicin, epirubicin, bleomycin,and/or any derivatives thereof.

Examples of medicaments suitable for the treatment of bacterialinfections include one or more of penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin,clindamycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, amoxicillin, cefaclor,lincomycin, clarithromycin, cephalosporins, azithromycin, doxycycline,ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, levofloxacin, chloramphenicol, minocycline,penicillins, vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamicins, neomycin, ceftriaxone,bacitracin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, cephalothin, amoxicillin,dicloxacillin, aminoglycosides, methicillin, carbenicillin, gentamicin,trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, rifampin, tetracyclines, polymyxins,cephalexin, chlortetracycline, metronidazole and/or any derivativesthereof.

It is not excluded that the medicament is provided in combination with apolymer (e.g. a controlled release polymer), however, it is preferredthat no polymer is present in the composition. It is also preferred thatthe composition is not over-coated with a polymeric layer, though thisoption should not be excluded from the invention.

Paclitaxel and melatonin and its derivatives, and options for separateor simultaneous administration are described in more detail below.

Paclitaxel refers to native paclitaxel, paclitaxel analogues andderivatives thereof, including, for example, a natural or syntheticfunctional analogue of paclitaxel which has paclitaxel biologicalactivity, as well as a fragment of paclitaxel having paclitaxelbiological activity. Paclitaxel includes the native compound havingformula (I). A compound which is a paclitaxel analogue refers to acompound which interferes with cellular mitosis by affecting microtubuleformation and/or action, thereby producing antimitotic and anti-cellularproliferation effects.

Methods of preparing paclitaxel and its analogues and derivatives arewell-known in the art, and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,569,729; 5,565,478; 5,530,020; 5,527,924; 5,484,809; 5,475,120;5,440,057; and 5,296,506. Paclitaxel and its analogues and derivativesare also available commercially. Synthetic paclitaxel, for example, canbe obtained from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Oncology Division(Princeton, N.J.), under the registered trademark Taxol®.

An analogue of paclitaxel may have a structure according to formula II,whereby paclitaxel is modified at the C10 position. R may be any ofPropionyl, Isobutyryl, Valeryl, Hexanoyl, Octanoyl, Decanoyl,Tridecanoyl, Methoxyacetyl, Methylthioacetyl, MethylsulfonylacetylAcetoxyacetyl, Ethylformyl, Monosuccinyl, Crotonoyl, Acryloyl,Cyclopropanecarbonyl Cyclobutanecarbonyl, Cyclopentanecarbonyl,Cyclohexanecarbonyl, Hydrocinnamoyl, trans-Cinnamoyl, Phenylacetyl,Diphenylacetyl, Benzoyl 2-Chlorobenzoyl, 3-Chlorobenzoyl,4-Chlorobenzoyl, 3,4-Dichlorobenzoyl, 3,5-Dichlorobenzoyl,2,4-Dichlorobenzoyl, 3,5-Dibromobenzoyl, 4-Fluorobenzoyl,3-Trifluoromethylbenzoyl, 4-Trifluoromethylbenzoyl, 3-Nitrobenzoyl,4-Nitrobenzoyl, 3-Dimethylaminobenzoyl, 3-Methoxybenzoyl, 1-Naphthoyl,2-Naphthoyl, 2-Quinolinecarbonyl, 3-Quinolinecarbonyl,4-Quinolinecarbonyl, Indole-3-acetyl, Pyrrole-2-carbonyl,1-Methyl-2-pyrrolecarbonyl, 2-Furoyl, 5-Bromofuroyl, 5-Nitrofuroyl,3-Thiophenecarbonyl, 2-Thiophenecarbonyl, 2-Thiopheneacetyl, Picolinoyl,Isonicotinoyl, 5,6-Dichloronicotinoyl, 2-Methylnicotinoyl,6-Methylnicotinoyl, 5-Bromonicotinoyl, 2-Pyrazinecarbonyl, Isobutyryl,Valeryl, Methoxyacetyl or Cyclohexanecarbonyl. Methods for thepreparation of said analogues are described fully in Liu et al,Combinatorial chemistry and High Throughput Screening, 2002, Vol 5, p 39to 48.

Taxol® and its analogues and derivatives have been used successfully totreat leukemias and tumors. In particular, Taxol® is useful in thetreatment of breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. Moreover, paclitaxel maybe synthesized in accordance with known organic chemistry procedures(Nerenberg et al., Total synthesis of the immunosuppressive agent(−)-discodermolide. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 115:12,621-12,622, 1993) thatare readily understood by one skilled in the art.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone secreted by thepineal gland. Melatonin is often prescribed for the treatment of sleepdisturbances and jet-lag. The pharmacological activity of melatonin hasbeen described in numerous publications. One of the early investigationsof the pharmacological activity of melatonin was by Barchas andcoworkers (Barchas et al. Nature 1967, 214, 919). Melatonin refers tonative melatonin, melatonin analogues and derivatives thereof. Ananalogue of melatonin is a natural or synthetic functional variant ofmelatonin which has melatonin biological activity. An analogue ofmelatonin can be a compound which binds to the melatonin receptor;methods for identifying such melatonin analogues, for example bystandard screening techniques, are well known in the art. An analoguemay be a compound that binds to the melatonin receptor with an affinitybetter than 10⁻⁶M in suitable buffer conditions.

Melatonin includes the native compound having formula (III).

Examples of analogues of melatonin include 2-iodomelatonin,6-chloromelatonin, 6,7-dichloro-2-methylmelatonin and8-hydroxymelatonin, all of which contain the 5-methoxy indole ring as anessential moiety (Dubocovich, et al. Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. (USA) 1987,84, 3916-3918; Dubocovich, M;. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther: 1985,234,395;Dubocovich, M. L. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 1995, 16, 50-56).

According to one aspect of the invention, the paclitaxel comprises oneor more analogues of paclitaxel optionally in combination withpaclitaxel.

According to another aspect of the invention, the melatonin comprisesone or more analogues of melatonin optionally in combination withmelatonin.

Owing to the properties of proliferating SMCs, the inventors find that acomposition comprising combinations of analogues may also be effectiveat reducing a proliferating cell mass.

Stereoisomer, tautomers, racemates, prodrugs, metabolites,pharmaceutically acceptable salts, bases, esters, structurally relatedcompounds or solvates of paclitaxel or melatonin are within the scope ofthe invention, unless otherwise stated.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of paclitaxel or melatoninaccording to the invention, i.e. in the form of water-, oil-soluble, ordispersible products, include the conventional non-toxic salts or thequaternary ammonium salts which are formed, e.g., from inorganic ororganic acids or bases. Examples of such acid addition salts includeacetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate,bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate,fumarate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate,hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide,2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate,persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate,succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, and undecanoate. Base saltsinclude ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassiumsalts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts,salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine salts,N-methyl-D-glucamine, and salts with amino acids such a sarginine,lysine, and so forth. Also, the basic nitrogen-containing groups may bequaternized with such agents as lower alkyl halides, such as methyl,ethyl, propyl, and butyl chloride, bromides and iodides; dialkylsulfates like dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl; and diamyl sulfates, longchain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides,bromides and iodides, aralkyl halides like benzyl and phenethyl-bromidesand others. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the sulfatesalt ethanolate and sulfate salts.

The term “stereoisomer”, as used herein, defines all possible compoundsmade up of the same atoms bonded by the same sequence of bonds buthaving different three-dimensional structures which are notinterchangeable, which paclitaxel or melatonin may possess. Unlessotherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of paclitaxelor melatonin herein encompasses the mixture of all possiblestereochemically isomeric forms, which said compound may possess. Saidmixture may contain all diastereomers and/or enantiomers of the basicmolecular structure of said compound. All stereochemically isomericforms of paclitaxel or melatonin either in pure form or in admixturewith each other are intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

Paclitaxel or melatonin may also exist in their tautomeric forms. Suchforms, although not explicitly indicated in the compounds describedherein, are intended to be included within the scope of the presentinvention.

For therapeutic use, the salts of paclitaxel or melatonin according tothe invention are those wherein the counter-ion is pharmaceutically orphysiologically acceptable.

The term “pro-drug” as used herein means the pharmacologicallyacceptable derivatives such as esters, amides and phosphates, such thatthe resulting in vivo biotransformation product of the derivative is theactive drug. The reference by Goodman and Gilman (The PharmacologicalBasis of Therapeutics, 8th Ed, McGraw-Hill, Int. Ed. 1992,“Biotransformation of Drugs”, p 13-15) describing pro-drugs generally ishereby incorporated. Pro-drugs of the compounds of the invention can beprepared by modifying functional groups present in said component insuch a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routinemanipulation or in vivo, to the parent component. Typical examples ofpro-drugs are described for instance in WO 99/33795, WO 99/33815, WO99/33793 and WO 99/33792 all incorporated herein by reference. Pro-drugsare characterized by increased bio-availability and are readilymetabolized into the active paclitaxel or melatonin in vivo.

When the composition comprises a combination of melatonin andpaclitaxel, said composition may be provided on the balloon such thatthe melatonin is separately or simultaneously administered to thesubject with respect to the paclitaxel.

By simultaneous administration it is meant the melatonin and paclitaxelare administered to a subject at the same time. For example, balloon maybe provided with a composition comprising a mixture melatonin andpaclitaxel.

By separate administration it is meant that the melatonin and paclitaxelare separately administered to a subject at the same time orsubstantially the same time. The components are present on the balloonas separate, unmixed preparations. For example, the balloon may beprovided with a layer comprising paclitaxel and a separate layercomprising melatonin. The paclitaxel and melatonin respective layers donot intermix on the balloon prior to administration, thereby giving riseto separately administered compounds.

The maximum thickness of a separately administered paclitaxel layer maybe 0.007 mm, 0.008 mm, 0.009 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.012 mm, 0.014 mm, 0.016 mm,0.018 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.03 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, 0.10 mm,0.15 mm or 0.20 mm, or a value in the range between any two of theaforementioned values, preferably between 0.007 to 0.1 mm, morepreferably between 0.009 to 0.03 mm.

The maximum thickness of a separately administered melatonin layer maybe 0.007 mm, 0.008 mm, 0.009 mm, 0.01 mm, 0.012 mm, 0.014 mm, 0.016 mm,0.018 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.03 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, 0.10 mm,0.15 mm or 0.20 mm, or a value in the range between any two of theaforementioned values, preferably between 0.007 to 0.1 mm, morepreferably between 0.009 to 0.03 mm.

According to one aspect of the invention, the separate layers ofpaclitaxel and melatonin are disposed one over the other, so that anouter layer is first administered followed by an inner layer in situ.“Inner layer” and “outer layer” refer to the relative positions of thelayers, one over the other, with respect to the balloon. The inner layeris the layer of the two, closer to the balloon surface, and may or maynot be the innermost layer. For example, the balloon may first be coatedwith an innermost layer of hydrophilic substance to which the innerlayer can attach. The outer layer is positioned at least partially overthe inner layer. It is the layer of the two layers, further from theballoon surface; it will be the layer of the two layers, initiallycloser to the site of administration. The outer layer may or may not bethe outermost layer. For example, the balloon may optionally be furthercoated with a layer of polymer or other additional consecutive separatelayers of paclitaxel and melatonin for example whereby the final coatingforms the outermost layer. One or more intervening layers may be presentbetween the inner and outer layers. According to one aspect of theinvention, one or more intervening layers comprises polymer (e.g.controlled release polymer). Alternatively, no intervening layers may bepresent between the inner and outer layers.

According to one aspect of the invention, an inner layer comprisespaclitaxel and an outer layer comprises melatonin. In a preferredembodiment, an inner layer comprises paclitaxel devoid of any polymer(e.g. devoid of a controlled release polymer) and an outer layercomprises melatonin. In a more preferred embodiment, an inner layercomprises paclitaxel devoid of any polymer (e.g. devoid of a controlledrelease polymer), and an outer layer comprises melatonin and polymer(e.g. controlled release polymer). In a preferred embodiment, an innerlayer comprises paclitaxel devoid of any polymer (e.g. devoid of acontrolled release polymer), an outer layer comprises melatonin devoidof any polymer (e.g. devoid of a controlled release polymer), andoutermost layer comprises polymer (e.g. controlled release polymer). Thelayers are distinct, separate and do not intermix in the undeployedballoon.

Such balloons are prepared by applying a first coating (e.g. paclitaxeldevoid of polymer), allow the coating to dry, and applying a secondcoating (e.g. melatonin devoid of polymer) and allowing the secondcoating to dry. Subsequent layers (e.g. controlled release polymer) areapplied using similar steps of application and drying to ensure therespective coatings do not mix.

According to one aspect of the invention, the separate layers ofpaclitaxel and melatonin are provided at different locations on theballoon thereby achieving physical (spatial) separation. According toone embodiment of the invention, a balloon is provided with a pluralityof discrete depositions of paclitaxel and a plurality of discretedepositions of melatonin, wherein the respective depositions do notoverlap. Preferably the number of respective discrete depositions isequal for a given area of balloon.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a balloon may be providedwith a plurality of deposited paclitaxel-comprising strips, interlacedwith a plurality of similarly deposited melatonin-comprising strips,which strips do not overlap. The strips may be aligned along thelongitudinal axis of the balloon, perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the balloon or at an angle thereto. The ratio of melatonin:paclitaxelstrips may be 0.60, 0.80, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 or7.00:1 or a value in the range between any two of the aforementionedvalues, preferably 3.00 to 5.00:1.

According to one particular embodiment, a balloon of the invention maybe provided with a plurality of paclitaxel-comprising spots wherein atleast part of a space between the spots is provided with amelatonin-comprising spot, where the respective spots do not overlap.The ratio of melatonin:paclitaxel spots may be 0.60, 0.80, 1.00, 1.50,2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 5.00, 6.00 or 7.00:1 or a value in the range betweenany two of the aforementioned values, preferably 3.00 to 5.00:1.

In a preferred aspect, one set of discrete depositions comprisespaclitaxel and another set of discrete depositions melatonin. In a morepreferred embodiment, one set of discrete depositions comprisespaclitaxel devoid of any polymer (e.g. controlled release polymer) andanother set of discrete depositions comprises melatonin. In a mostpreferred embodiment, one set of discrete depositions comprisespaclitaxel devoid of any polymer (e.g. controlled release polymer) andanother set of discrete depositions comprises melatonin, and a distinctand separate layer of polymer (e.g. controlled release) is providedcovering both set of spots.

The medical uses of the composition described below, also apply to thecomposition comprising melatonin and paclitaxel, for simultaneous,separate or sequential administration to a subject as disclosed hereabove.

A composition of the invention may comprise additional substances, suchas, for example, those that facilitate sobulisation of the melatonin andpaclitaxel and/or the attachment of the melatonin and paclitaxel to theballoon, and those that facilitate the functioning or the performance ofthe balloon in situ. Such additional substances are known to the skilledartisan.

As mentioned elsewhere, it is an aspect of the invention that thecomposition may further comprise a polymer. A polymer according to thepresent invention is any that facilitates attachment of the medicamentto the balloon and/or facilitates the controlled release of medicament.Preferably, the polymer is used to tune the release of medicament toobtain an optimal response; in words, to control the rate at which themedicament is released from the balloon. A too fast release of themedicament could result in vessel wall toxicity. By tuning the release,and the vessel wall is impregnated for a certain time period (e.g.minutes or seconds) with the composition resulting in an optimal effect.The skilled person will understand that the type of polymer,concentration, thickness can be adjusted within the routine practices ofthe skilled person to obtain an optimum release.

Polymers suitable for use in the present invention are any that arecapable of attaching to the balloon and releasing medicament. They mustbe biocompatible to minimize irritation to the vessel wall. Polymers maybe, for example, film-forming polymers that are absorbable ornon-absorbable. The polymer may be biostable or bioabsorbable dependingon the desired rate of release or the desired degree of polymerstability.

Suitable bioabsorbable polymers that could be used include polymersselected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyesters, poly(aminoacids), copoly(ether-esters), polyalkylenes oxalates, polyamides,poly(iminocarbonates), polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polyoxaesters,polyamidoesters, polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene oxide (PEO),polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxybutyrate valerates, polyoxaesterscontaining amido groups, poly(anhydrides), polyphosphazenes, silicones,hydrogels, biomolecules and blends thereof. Another polymer is anypoly(ester amide).

For the purpose of the present invention, aliphatic polyesters includehomopolymers and copolymers of lactide (which includes lactic acid D-,L- and meso lactide), epsilon-caprolactone, glycolide (includingglycolic acid), hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, para-dioxanone,trimethylene carbonate (and its alkyl derivatives), 1,4-dioxepan-2-one,1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one and polymer blendsthereof. Poly(iminocarbonate) for the purpose of this invention includeas described by Kemnitzer and Kohn, in the Handbook of BiodegradablePolymers, edited by Domb, Kost and Wisemen, Hardwood Academic Press,1997, pages 251-272. Copoly(ether-esters) for the purpose of thisinvention include those copolyester-ethers described in Journal ofBiomaterials Research, Vol. 22, pages 993-1009, 1988 by Cohn and Younesand Cohn, Polymer Preprints (ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry) Vol.30(1), page 498, 1989 (e.g. PEO/PLA). Polyalkylene oxalates for thepurpose of this invention include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,208,511; 4,141,087;4,130,639; 4,140,678; 4,105,034; and 4,205,399 (incorporated byreference herein).

Polyphosphazenes, co-, ter- and higher order mixed monomer basedpolymers made from L-lactide, D,L-lactide, lactic acid, glycolide,glycolic acid, para-dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate andepsilon-caprolactone such as are described by Allcock in TheEncyclopedia of Polymer Science, Vol. 13, pages 31-41, WileyIntersciences, John Wiley & Sons, 1988 and by Vandorpe, Schacht,Dejardin and Lemmouchi in the Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers, editedby Domb, Kost and Wisemen, Hardwood Academic Press, 1997, pages 161-182(which are hereby incorporated by reference herein).

Polyanhydrides from diacids of the formHOOC—C₆H₄—O—(CH₂)_(m)—O—C₆H₄—COOH wherein m is an integer in the rangeof from 1 to 11, 3 to 9, 3 to 7, 2 to 6 or preferably 2 to 8, andcopolymers thereof with aliphatic alpha-omega diacids of up to 8, 9, 10,11 or preferably 12 carbons. Polyoxaesters polyoxaamides andpolyoxaesters containing amines and/or amido groups are described in oneor more of the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,464,929; 5,595,751; 5,597,579;5,607,687; 5,618,552; 5,620,698; 5,645,850; 5,648,088; 5,698,213 and5,700,583; (which are incorporated herein by reference). Polyorthoesterssuch as those described by Heller in Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers,edited by Domb, Kost and Wisemen, Hardwood Academic Press, 1997, pages99-118 (hereby incorporated herein by reference).

Suitable biostable polymers with relatively low chronic tissue response,such as polyurethanes, silicones, poly(meth)acrylates, polyesters,polyalkyl oxides (polyethylene oxide), polyvinyl alcohols, polyethyleneglycols and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, as well as, hydrogels such as thoseformed from crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidinone and polyesters couldalso be used. Other polymers could also be used if they can bedissolved, cured or polymerized on the balloon. These includepolyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-alphaolefin copolymers;acrylic polymers (including methacrylate) and copolymers, vinyl halidepolymers and copolymers, such as polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl ethers,such as polyvinyl methyl ether; polyvinylidene halides such aspolyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride; polyacrylonitrile,polyvinyl ketones; polyvinyl aromatics such as polystyrene; polyvinylesters such as polyvinyl acetate; copolymers of vinyl monomers with eachother and olefins, such as etheylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers,acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins and ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers; polyamides, such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam; alkydresins; polycarbonates; polyoxymethylenes; polyimides; polyethers; epoxyresins, polyurethanes; rayon; rayon-triacetate, cellulose, celluloseacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate; cellophane; cellulose nitrate;cellulose propionate; cellulose ethers (i.e. carboxymethyl cellulose andhydroxyalkyl celluloses); and combinations thereof. Polyamides for thepurpose of this application would also include polyamides of theform-NH—(CH₂)_(n)—CO— and NH—(CH₂)_(x)—NH—CO—(CH₂)_(y)—CO, wherein

n is an integer in from 5 to 15, 7 to 11, 8 to 10 or preferably 6 to 13;x is an integer in the range of from 5 to 14, 7 to 11, 8 to 10 orpreferably 6 to 12; andy is an integer in the range of from 3 to 18, 5 to 14, 6 to 10 orpreferably 4 to 16. The list provided above is illustrative but notlimiting.

Other polymers suitable for use in the present invention arebioabsorbable elastomers, more preferably aliphatic polyesterelastomers. In the proper proportions aliphatic polyester copolymers areelastomers. Elastomers present the advantage that they tend to adherewell to the balloon and can withstand significant deformation withoutcracking. The high elongation and good adhesion provide superiorperformance to other polymer coatings when the coated balloon isexpanded. Examples of suitable bioabsorbable elastomers are described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,468,253 hereby incorporated by reference. Preferably thebioabsorbable biocompatible elastomers based on aliphatic polyester,including but not limited to those selected from the group consisting ofelastomeric copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide (preferablyhaving a mole ratio of epsilon-caprolactone to glycolide of from about35:65 to about 65:35, more preferably 45:55 to 35:65) elastomericcopolymers of E-caprolactone and lactide, including L-lactide, D-lactideblends thereof or lactic acid copolymers (preferably having a mole ratioof epsilon-caprolactone to lactide of from about 35:65 to about 90:10and more preferably from about 35:65 to about 65:35 and most preferablyfrom about 45:55 to 30:70 or from about 90:10 to about 80:20)elastomeric copolymers of p-dioxanone (1,4-dioxan-2-one) and lactideincluding L-lactide, D-lactide and lactic acid (preferably having a moleratio of p-dioxanone to lactide of from about 30:70 to about 70:30,45:55 to about 55:45, and preferably from about 40:60 to about 60:40)elastomeric copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone and p-dioxanone(preferably having a mole ratio of epsilon-caprolactone to p-dioxanoneof from about 40:60 to about 60:40 and preferably from about 30:70 toabout 70:30) elastomeric copolymers of p-dioxanone and trimethylenecarbonate (preferably having a mole ratio of p-dioxanone to trimethylenecarbonate of from about 40:60 to about 60:40, and preferably from about30:70 to about 70:30), elastomeric copolymers of trimethylene carbonateand glycolide (preferably having a mole ratio of trimethylene carbonateto glycolide of from about 40:60 to about 60:40 and preferably fromabout 30:70 to about 70:30), elastomeric copolymer of trimethylenecarbonate and lactide including L-lactide, D-lactide, blends thereof orlactic acid copolymers (preferably having a mole ratio of trimethylenecarbonate to lactide of from about 30:70 to about 70:30) and blendsthereof. As is well known in the art these aliphatic polyestercopolymers have different hydrolysis rates, therefore, the choice ofelastomer may in part be based on the requirements for the coatingsadsorption. For example epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide copolymer(45:55 mole percent, respectively) films lose 90% of their initialstrength after 2 weeks in simulated physiological buffer whereas theepsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide copolymers (40:60 mole percent,respectively) loses all of its strength between 12 and 16 weeks in thesame buffer. Mixtures of the fast hydrolyzing and slow hydrolyzingpolymers can be used to adjust the time of strength retention.

The amount of coating may range from about 0.1 to about 20 as a percentof the total weight of the balloon after coating and preferably willrange from about 0.5 to about 15 percent. The polymer coatings may beapplied in one or more coating steps depending on the amount of polymerto be applied. Different polymers may also be used for different layersin the balloon coating. In fact it may be an option to use a dilutefirst coating solution as primer to promote adhesion of a subsequentcoating layers that may contain medicament.

Additionally, a top coating can be applied to further delay release ofmedicament, or it could be used as the matrix for the delivery of adifferent pharmaceutically active material. The amount of top coatingson the balloon may vary, but will generally be less than about 2000micrograms, preferably the amount of top coating will be in the range ofabout 1 micrograms to about 1700 micrograms and most preferably in therange of from about 100 micrograms to 1000 about micrograms. Layering ofcoating of fast and slow hydrolyzing copolymers can be used to stagerelease of the drug or to control release of different agents placed indifferent layers. Polymer blends may also be used to control the releaserate of different agents or to provide desirable balance of coating(i.e. elasticity, toughness etc.) and drug delivery characteristics(release profile). Polymers with different solubilities in solvents canbe used to build up different polymer layers that may be used to deliverdifferent drugs or control the release profile of a drug. For examplesince epsilon-caprolactone-co-lactide elastomers are soluble in ethylacetate and epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide elastomers are not solublein ethyl acetate. A first layer of epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolideelastomer containing a drug can be over coated withepsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide elastomer using a coating solutionmade with ethyl acetate as the solvent. Additionally, different monomerratios within a copolymer, polymer structure or molecular weights mayresult in different solubilities. For example, 45/55epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide at room temperature is soluble inacetone whereas a similar molecular weight copolymer of 35/65epsilon-caprolactone-co-glycolide is substantially insoluble within a 4weight percent solution. The second coating (or multiple additionalcoatings) can be used as a top coating to delay the drug delivery of thedrug contained in the first layer. Alternatively, the second layer couldcontain another medicament to provide for sequential delivery. Multiplelayers of could be provided by alternating layers of first one polymerthen the other. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in theart numerous layering approaches can be used to provide the desired drugdelivery.

The coatings can be applied by suitable methodology known to the skilledperson, such as, for example, dip coating, spray coating, electrostaticcoating, melting a powdered form onto the balloon.

Other examples of polymeric coatings, and coating methods are given inpatent documents EP 1 107 707, WO 97/10011, U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,156, EP0 822 788, U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,903, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,600, U.S. Pat.No. 5,837,313, WO 96/32907, EP 0 832,655, U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,426, U.S.Pat. No. 6,569,195, EP 0 822 788 B1, WO 00/32238, U.S. Pat. No.6,258,121, EP 0 832,665, WO 01/37892, U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,764, U.S. Pat.No. 6,153,252 which are incorporated herein by reference.

The medicament disposed on the balloon is present in an amount for thetreatment of tissues and cells present in the cavity. The size ofballoon and concentration of composition thereon can be calculated usingknown techniques by the skilled person.

Where the medicament is suitable for the treatment of stenosis orrestenosis, for instance, it is preferably present in an amount toinhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells. It is preferably presentin an amount to prevent or treat stenosis or restenosis.

An amount of medicament such as paclitaxel and/or melatonin that iseffective to prevent or treat stenosis or restenosis is an amount thatis effective to ameliorate or minimise the clinical impairment orsymptoms of the stenosis or restenosis. For example, the clinicalimpairment or symptoms of stenosis or restenosis may be ameliorated orminimised by diminishing any pain or discomfort suffered by the subject;by extending the survival of the subject beyond that which wouldotherwise be expected in the absence of such treatment; by inhibiting orpreventing the development or spread of stenosis or restenosis; or bylimiting, suspending, terminating, or otherwise controlling thematuration and proliferation of cells in stenosis or restenosis.

The size of balloon and concentration of composition thereon will varydepending on the particular factors of each case, including the type ofstenosis or restenosis, the stage of stenosis or restenosis. Theseamounts can be readily determined by the skilled artisan.

According to one aspect of the invention, a balloon is coated with acomposition comprising paclitaxel such that the paclitaxel concentrationdelivered to a subject is greater than or equal to 0.00001, 0.00005,0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004,0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.75 1, 1.5, 3,4.5, 5, 9, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 micrograms paclitaxel/mm² ofballoon, or a concentration in the range between any two of theaforementioned values inclusive.

According to another aspect of the invention, a balloon is coated with acomposition comprising melatonin such that the melatonin concentrationdelivered to a subject is greater than or equal to 0.00001, 0.00005,0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004,0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20,40, 60, 80 or 100 micrograms melatonin/mm² of balloon, or aconcentration in the range between any two of the aforementioned valuesinclusive.

The concentration of melatonin and/or paclitaxel per mm² of balloonrequired to arrive at the above doses can be readily calculated by theskilled person.

According to one aspect of the invention, the concentration of melatoninpresent on a balloon may be between 0.001 and 15, 0.005 and 10, 0.02 and5, or 0.1 and 2 micrograms inclusive melatonin/mm²; preferably it isbetween 0.005 and 10 micrograms inclusive melatonin/mm² of balloon.

According to another aspect of the invention, the concentration ofpaclitaxel on a balloon may be between 0.0001 and 0.05, 0.0005 and 0.5,or 0.001 and 5 micrograms inclusive paclitaxel/mm²; preferably it isbetween 0.001 and 5 micrograms inclusive paclitaxel/mm².

Where both paclitaxel and melatonin are present together, theconcentration of paclitaxel on a balloon is lower than the concentrationof melatonin. The concentration of paclitaxel may be equal to or lessthan 0.95, 0.9, 0.85, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.65, 0.6, 0.55, 0.50, 0.45, 0.40,0.35, 0.30, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05 times the concentration of melatonin, or maybe a fraction of the melatonin concentration which fraction is in therange between any two of the aforementioned values inclusive. Preferablyit is between 0.1 to 0.3 times the concentration of melatonin.Experiments by the present inventors indicate inhibition occurs with0.885 micrograms melatonin/mm² balloon with a paclitaxel concentrationof 0.118 micrograms/mm² balloon.

The composition may comprise additives to facilitate storage,dissolubility and application of the medicament, for instance, salts,buffers, gels, surfactants, etc. Biocompatible coating or adhesiveagents may be added. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, thesecompositions may contain a preservative to prevent the growth ofmicroorganisms.

Examples of conditions treatable using the present invention include,but are not limited to stenosis, restenosis, tumourous growths,infections, and inflammations. Examples of tumours suitable fortreatment according to the invention include, but are not limited tobiliary tract adenocarcinoma, esophageal epidermoid or adenocarcinoma,colon and rectum adenocarcinoma, bronchial epidermoid oradeno-carcinomas, uterine. The medicament may useful for shrinking amass of proliferating cells or may completely eradicate it. Thetreatment of proliferating cells or tissues may also be applied toregions from which a proliferating mass has been surgically removed toreduce the possibility of relapse or regrowth. The treatment can also bethe prevention of regrowth.

A subject according to the present invention may be any living bodysusceptible to treatment by the balloon. Examples include, but are notlimited to humans, livestock, domestic animals, wild animals, or anyanimal in need of treatment. Examples of an animal is human, horse, cat,dog, mice, rat, gerbil, bovine species, pig, fowl, camelidae species,goat, sheep, rabbit, hare, bird, elephant, monkey, chimpanzee etc. Ananimal may be a mammal.

One embodiment of the invention is a process for obtaining acomposition-eluting balloon catheter 100 having a proximal 20 and distal15 end, comprising an elongated catheter tube 6 with an inflation lumen7 extending therewithin and at least one inflatable balloon (4 having acentral longitudinal balloon axis B-B′ towards the distal end 15 influid communication with the inflation lumen 7, wherein the balloon 4 inthe uninflated condition is configured as a plurality of folded wings10′, 10″, comprising the steps:

a) applying the composition 12′, 12″ at least partially over one or bothsurfaces of the balloon wing;b) folding the balloon wings 10′, 10″ around the central longitudinalballoon axis B-B′ such that applied composition 12′, 12″ is disposedwithin the folds of the wings;c) removing excess composition 12′, 12″ from the surface of the foldedballoon; andd) applying a relief structure 30 to the balloon 4 in the foldedcondition, comprising at least one groove on the outside of theplurality of folded wings 10′, 10″, configured to substantially reducein depth in an inflated state of the balloon 4, which at least onegroove is essentially devoid of composition 12′, 12″.

According to one aspect of the process, one or both surfaces of theballoon wings 10′, 10″ may be at least partially coated with ahydrophilic coating, prior to application of the composition.

According to one aspect of the process, the composition (12′, 12″) maybe applied in a solution of organic solvent preferably methanol,propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, more preferably ethanol, at leastpartially over the coated surface.

According to one aspect of the process, the relief structure has one ormore of the features describe above in respect of the relief structures.

Another embodiment of the invention is a composition-eluting ballooncatheter 100 obtainable or obtained by a process as described above. Theballoon catheter may be a rapid exchange catheter or an over the wirecatheter.

EXAMPLES 1. Balloon Preparation

A balloon was prepared by coating the outer surface with a PVPhydrophilic substance, then over-coating the hydrophilic substance withpaclitaxel (PTX) and allowing the coating to dry. The paclitaxel wasdisposed exclusively between the balloon folds and at a concentration of1.5 μg/mm².

2. Retention Property of Hydrophilic Coating in Water (In Vitro)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. In the uninflatedstate, the balloon was passed three times through a guiding catheter andcoronary model in a water bath at 37 deg C. Analysis of the amount ofpaclitaxel remaining on the balloon indicated a reduction of less than1% of the total load.

3. Retention Property of Hydrophilic Coating in an Ex Vivo Model LivingPorcine Artery

Three balloons were prepared according to experiment 1, having aconcentration of paclitaxel of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm².,Each balloon was placed in ex vivo model living porcine artery forming aclosed loop model. Concentration of paclitaxel dispersed in the systemprior to inflation were measured, and the results are given in Table 1below. The systemic effect of paclitaxel in the blood stream at theconcentrations cited is negligible.

TABLE 1 Blood concentration of paclitaxel on the balloon beforeinflation in an ex vivo model living porcine artery. Concentrationpaclitaxel Concentration paclitaxel (PTX) in blood before (PTX) onballoon inflation (μM) DEB-Y: 1.5 μg/mm² 0.005 DEB-Y/2: 0.75 μg/mm²0.018 DEB-3Y: 4.5 μg/mm² 0.002

4. Integrity of Hydrophilic Coating (In Vitro)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. The balloon wasrepeatedly inflated and deflated in both wet and dry conditions, andvisually inspected for cracking or other changes to the integrity of thesurface. There was no cracking of the coating that could lead toparticle release when the surface was analysed at 300× magnification.

5. Effect of Radiation Sterilization

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. The balloon wassterilized by irradiation with a gamma-ray source under standardconditions. Analysis by HPLC of the paclitaxel on the balloon indicateda variation in paclitaxel of less than 3% between repeated productstested.

6. Concentration on Balloon Vs Concentration Administered (Ex Vivo)

Three balloons were prepared according to experiment 1, having aconcentration of paclitaxel of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm².Each was inserted into an ex vivo model living porcine artery, andinflated for 30 seconds. The dose of paclitaxel delivered to thearterial wall was measured. The result shown in FIG. 6, reveals thatdose administered is approximately directly proportional to theconcentration of paclitaxel on the balloon. It is noted that afterleaving the balloon in the blood stream for 2.5 minutes in anon-inflated condition, less than 3.5% of the total load was detected inthe blood stream.

7. Multiple Dose Administrations at the Same Location (Ex Vivo)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. It was inserted intoan ex vivo model living porcine artery, and inflated for 30 seconds thendeflated. This was repeated a further 2 times in the same location. Thedose of paclitaxel delivered to the arterial wall was measured aftereach deflation. The result shown in FIG. 7, reveals that doseadministered to the wall increases with each inflation i.e. there is acumulative effect.

8. Multiple Dose Administrations at Different Location (Ex Vivo)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. It was inserted intoan ex vivo model living porcine artery, and inflated for 30 seconds thendeflated. This was repeated a further 2 times at different locations.The dose of paclitaxel delivered to the arterial wall was measured aftereach deflation. The result shown in FIG. 8, reveals that the balloondelivers paclitaxel after each inflation, with decreasing concentration.

9. Dose Administered Vs Time (Ex Vivo)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1. It was inserted intoan ex vivo model living porcine artery, and inflated for 15, 30, 60, or120 seconds then deflated. The dose of paclitaxel delivered to thearterial wall was measured after deflation. The result shown in FIG. 9,reveals that the concentration of paclitaxel delivered to the vesselwall after each inflation is essentially directly proportional withinflation time.

10. Four Week Quantitative Coronary Angiography (In Vivo)

Three balloons were prepared according to experiment 1, having aconcentration of paclitaxel of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm².The balloons were used in an in vivo Quantitative Coronary Angiography(QCA). The results of the QCA are shown in Tables 2 to 4 below. Forcomparison, the results of a trial of B.Braun SeQuent Please paclitaxeldrug eluting balloon are given in Table 5.

TABLE 2 Results of four week porcine in vivo Quantitative CoronaryAngiography (QCA) using balloon of the invention. PRE POST FUP FUP FUPBalloon paclitaxel VD MLD MLD RD % DS LLL concentration (mm) (mm) (mm)(mm) (%) (mm) DEB-Y: 1.5 μg/mm² 2.45 3.12 3.15 3.29 4.15 −0.03 DEB-Y/2:0.75 μg/mm² 2.47 3.15 2.97 3.11 4.95 0.18 DEB-3Y: 4.5 μg/mm² 2.38 3.062.78 3.11 12.22 0.28 KEY: PRE—prior to treatment; POST—after treatment;FUP—follow up; LLL—late luminal loss; VD—vessel diameter; MLD—minimumlumen diameter; RD—reference diameter; % DS—percentage diameterstenosis.

According to the results of Table 2, at least the FUP % DS and LLLindicates that all doses are effective, 1.5 μg/mm² (DEB-Y) being themost effective dose.

TABLE 3 Histology analysis after four week porcine in vivo QuantitativeCoronary Angiography (QCA) using balloon of the invention. Balloonpaclitaxel Injury Fibrin Inflam. Endothelialization concentration scorescore score (complete) DEB-Y: 1.5 μg/mm² 0.5 0.04 0.15 88.9% DEB-Y/2:0.75 μg/mm² 0.91 0.26 0.59 77.8% DEB-3Y: 4.5 μg/mm² 0.98 0.30 0.81 59.3%

According to the results of Table 3, at least the Inflammation Scoreindicates that all doses are effective, 1.5 μg/mm² (DEB-Y) being themost effective dose.

TABLE 4 Histo-morphometry analysis after four week porcine in vivoQuantitative Coronary Angiography (QCA) using balloon of the invention.Max. Lumen Neointimal IEL Media EEL % Area Neointimal Balloon paclitaxelarea area area area area stenosis Thickness concentration (mm²) (mm²)(mm²) (mm²) (mm²) (%) (mm) DEB-Y: 1.5 μg/mm² 3.23 0.16 3.39 1.07 4.465.40 0.02 DEB-Y/2: 0.75 μg/mm² 2.43 0.32 2.75 0.91 3.67 12.10 0.06DEB-3Y: 4.5 μg/mm² 2.20 0.44 2.64 1.10 3.75 19.60 0.10 KEY: IELarea—internal elastic lamina area; EEL—external elastic lamina area.

According to the results of Table 4, at least the % area stenosisindicates that all doses are effective, 1.5 μg/mm² (DEB-Y) being themost effective dose.

TABLE 5 B. Braun SeQuent Please paclitaxel eluting balloon, publishedhuman trial data. Study SetUp n= [paclitaxel] Mace LLL Pep Cad I SmallVessels 120 3 μm/mm²  15% 0.32 Pep Cad II In-Stent 66 3 μm/mm²  7.8%0.20 SeQuent ® In-Stent Taxus 65 3 μm/mm² 16.9% 0.45 Pep Cad III De-Novo312 3 μm/mm² 13.8% 0.41 SeQuent ® + Stent DeNovo Cypher 325 3 μm/mm² 6.9% 0.16 KEY: “n”—number of experiments; Mace—major adverse cardiacevents; LLL—Late luminal loss.

According to the results of Table 5, the effect of the hydrophobiccoating of the present invention provides a late luminal loss effect atleast the same as existing products, with the advantages of controlledand reduced systemic release.

11. Concentration on Balloon with Stent Vs Concentration Administered(Ex Vivo)

Balloons with three different concentrations were prepared according toexperiment 1, having a concentration of paclitaxel of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm², and provided with a non-drug eluting stent ofcobalt-chromium alloy (F562). Each was inserted into an ex vivo modelliving porcine artery, and inflated for 30 seconds, after which time thestent was deployed. The dose of paclitaxel delivered to the arterialwall was measured. The result shown in FIG. 10, reveals that doseadministered is approximately proportional to the concentration ofpaclitaxel on the balloon. It is noted that after leaving the uninflatedballoon in the blood stream for 2.5 minutes, no paclitaxel was detectedin the blood stream.

12. Multiple Dose Administrations of Balloon with Stent at the SameLocation (Ex Vivo)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1 and provided with anon-drug eluting stent of cobalt-chromium alloy (F562). It was insertedinto an ex vivo model living porcine artery, and inflated for 30 secondsthen deflated; after inflation the stent was deployed. This was repeateda further 2 times in the same location. The dose of paclitaxel deliveredto the arterial wall was measured after each deflation. The result shownin FIG. 11, reveals that dose administered to the wall increases witheach inflation i.e. there is a cumulative effect.

13. Dose Administered of Balloon with Stent Vs Time (Ex Vivo)

A balloon was prepared according to experiment 1 with a non-drug elutingstent of cobalt-chromium alloy (F562). It was inserted into an ex vivomodel living porcine artery, and inflated for 15, 30, 60, or 120 secondsthen deflated; after inflation the stent was deployed. The dose ofpaclitaxel delivered to the arterial wall was measured after deflation.The result shown in FIG. 12, reveals that the concentration ofpaclitaxel delivered to the vessel wall after each inflation isessentially directly proportional with inflation time. It is noted thatthe amount delivered is greater compared with the balloon alone (FIG.9).

14. Four Week Quantitative Coronary Angiography (In Vivo) with Stent

Three balloons were prepared according to experiment 1, but having aconcentration of paclitaxel of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm²,and each disposed with a non-drug eluting stent of cobalt-chromium alloy(F562). The balloons were used in an in vivo Quantitative CoronaryAngiography (QCA). The results of the QCA are shown in Table 6 below. Adose effect is significant.

TABLE 6 Results of four week porcine in vivo Quantitative CoronaryAngiography (QCA) using balloon of the invention + non drug-elutingstent. PRE POST FUP FUP FUP Balloon paclitaxel VD MLD MLD RD % DS LLLconcentration (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (%) (mm) CoCr 2.64 3.09 2.15 3.15 32.40.92 CoCr DEB-Y: 1.5 μg/mm² 2.61 3.04 2.20 3.29 28.2 0.84 CoCr DEB-Y/2:2.64 3.05 2.53 3.11 21.6 0.53 0.75 μg/mm² CoCr DEB-3Y: 4.5 μg/mm² 2.713.11 2.92 3.11 11.5 0.18 KEY: CoCr—cobalt chromium stent; PRE—prior totreatment; POST—after treatment; FUP—follow up; LLL—late luminal loss;VD—vessel diameter; MLD—minimum lumen diameter; RD—reference diameter; %DS—percentage diameter stenosis.

According to Table 6, at least the FUP % DS indicates that all doses areeffective, 4.5 μg/mm² (DEB-3Y) being the most effective dose.

15. Four Week Quantitative Coronary Angiography (In Vivo)—ComparisonAnimal Trial with Drug Eluting Balloons+Stents

Two commercial drug balloons, namely, Dior 2^(nd) (Eurocore); andSeQuent (B.Braun) were each provided with a non-drug-eluting stent. Theballoons were used in an in vivo Quantitative Coronary Angiography(QCA). The results of the QCA are shown in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Results of four week porcine in vivo Quantitative CoronaryAngiography (QCA) using commercial drug-eluting balloons. PRE POST FUPFUP FUP Balloon paclitaxel VD MLD MLD RD % DS LLL concentration (mm)(mm) (mm) (mm) (%) (mm) BMS control 2.49 2.98 1.12 2.72 59.3 1.85 Dior2^(nd) + stent 2.41 2.94 1.43 2.73 48.4 1.41 (Eurocore) 3 μg/mm²SeQuent + stent (B. Braun) 2.62 3.05 2.62 2.52 14.0 0.43 3 μg/mm² KEY:BMS—bare metal stent, non-drug-eluting balloon; PRE—prior to treatment;POST—after treatment; FUP—follow up; LLL—late luminal loss; VD—vesseldiameter; MLD—minimum lumen diameter; RD—reference diameter; %DS—percentage diameter stenosis.

According to the results of Table 7, the effect of the hydrophobiccoating of the present invention provides a late luminal loss effect atleast comparable with existing products, with the advantages ofcontrolled and reduced systemic release.

16. Balloon Preparation

A balloon is prepared by coating the outer surface with acarboxymethylcellulose hydrophilic substance, then over-coating thehydrophilic substance with sirolimus and allowing the coating to dry.The sirolimus is disposed exclusively between the balloon folds and aconcentration of 1.5 μg/mm².

17. Retention Property of Hydrophilic Coating in Water (In Vitro)

A balloon is prepared according to experiment 16. In the uninflatedstate, the balloon is passed three times through a guiding catheter andcoronary model in a water bath at 37 deg C. Analysis of the amount ofsirolimus remaining on the balloon indicates a reduction of less than 1%of the total load.

18. Retention Property of Hydrophilic Coating in an Ex Vivo Model LivingPorcine Artery

Three balloons are prepared according to experiment 16, having aconcentration of sirolimus of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm².Each balloon is placed in ex vivo model living porcine artery forming aclosed loop model. Concentration of sirolimus dispersed in the systemprior to inflation is measured, and the results show that systemiceffect of sirolimus in the blood stream is negligible.

19. Retention Property of Hydrophilic Coating (In Vitro)

A balloon is prepared according to experiment 16. The balloon isrepeatedly inflated and deflated in both wet and dry conditions, andvisually inspected for cracking or other changes to the integrity of thesurface. There is no cracking of the coating that could lead to particlerelease when the surface is analysed at 300× magnification.

20. Effect of Radiation Sterilization

A balloon is prepared according to experiment 16. The balloon issterilized by irradiation with a gamma-ray source under standardconditions. Analysis by HPLC of the sirolimus on the balloon shows avariation in sirolimus of less than 3% between repeated products tested.

21. Concentration on Balloon Vs Concentration Administered (Ex Vivo)

Three balloons are prepared according to experiment 16, having aconcentration of sirolimus of 0.75 μg/mm², 1.5 μg/mm² and 4.5 μg/mm².Each is inserted into an ex vivo model living porcine artery, andinflated for 30 seconds. The dose of sirolimus delivered to the arterialwall is measured. The dose administered is approximately directlyproportional to the concentration of sirolimus on the balloon.

22. Multiple Dose Administrations at the Same Location (Ex Vivo)

A balloon is prepared according to experiment 16. It is inserted into anex vivo model living porcine artery, and inflated for 30 seconds thendeflated. This is repeated a further 2 times in the same location. Thedose of sirolimus delivered to the arterial wall is measured after eachdeflation. The dose administered to the wall increases with eachinflation i.e. there is a cumulative effect.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A composition-eluting balloon catheter (100) havinga proximal (20) and distal (15) end, comprising an elongated cathetertube (6) with an inflation lumen (7) extending therewithin and at leastone inflatable balloon (4) having a central longitudinal balloon axis(B-B′) towards the distal end (15) in fluid communication with theinflation lumen (7), wherein: the balloon (4) in the uninflatedcondition is configured as a one or a plurality of folded wings (10′,10″), and composition (12′, 12″) is provided essentially exclusivelywithin the folds of the wings (10′, 10″) in such a manner that releaseof the composition is reduced or prevented until after inflation of theballoon has commenced, wherein the balloon (4) in the folded conditionis further provided with a relief structure (30) comprising at least onegroove on the outside of the folded wings (10′, 10″), configured tosubstantially reduce in depth in an inflated state of the balloon (4),wherein the at least one groove (32) crosses the outer edge of at leastone folded wing (10′, 10″) and whereby each and every groove isessentially devoid of composition (12′, 12″).
 19. Balloon catheteraccording to claim 18, wherein the at least one groove (32) has adirectional component which is transverse to the central longitudinalaxis (B-B′) of the balloon (4).
 20. Balloon catheter according to claim18, whereby the at least one groove (32) extends at a predeterminedangle with regard to the longitudinal axis of the balloon (4). 21.Balloon catheter according to claim 18, wherein at least two grooves(33, 34) extend from the distal end (15) to the proximal end (20) of theballoon (4) and cross each other.
 22. Balloon catheter according toclaim 18, whereby the at least one groove (32) is ring or oval shaped,and has a directional component which is transverse to a centrallongitudinal axis (B-B′) of the balloon (4).
 23. Balloon catheteraccording to claim 18, wherein the composition comprises paclitaxel. 24.Balloon catheter according to claim 18, wherein the compositioncomprises: one or more of paclitaxel, melatonin, thalidomide, sirolimus,zotarolimus, everolimus, biolimus, 17-β estradiol, actinomucin D,docetaxel, and/or any derivatives thereof, or one or more of cis-platin,paclitaxel, etoposide, amasecrine, teniposide, irinotecan, toptecan,doxorubicin, epirubicin, bleomycin, and/or any derivatives thereof, orone or more of penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin, clindamycin,tetracycline, streptomycin, amoxicillin, cefaclor, lincomycin,clarithromycin, cephalosporins, azithromycin, doxycycline,ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, levofloxacin, chloramphenicol, minocycline,penicillins, vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamicins, neomycin, ceftriaxone,bacitracin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, cephalothin, amoxicillin,dicloxacillin, aminoglycosides, methicillin, carbenicillin, gentamicin,trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, rifampin, tetracyclines, polymyxins,cephalexin, chlortetracycline, metronidazole and/or any derivativesthereof.
 25. Balloon catheter according to claim 18, wherein the balloonis provided with a hydrophilic coating onto which the composition (12′,12″) is at least partially disposed.
 26. Balloon catheter according toclaim 25, wherein the hydrophilic coating is any of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) or copolymers containing N-vinylpyrrolidone, poly (meth) acrylicacid or copolymers containing (meth) acrylic acid or (meth) acrylic acidesters, polyacrylamides, polyvinylalcohol and copolymers of partiallysaponified vinylacetate copolymers, polyethylenglycol,polyvinylmethylether, polyvinylmethylether-maleic anhydride andcopolymers containing maleic-anhydride or maleic-acidesters orcopolymers containing vinylmethylether, or copolymers thereof, or watersoluble polysaccharides or derivatives thereof such ascarboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or hydroxyethylcellulose or Xanthane or aderivative thereof to the liquid for wetting a hydrophilic coating. 27.Balloon catheter according to claim 18, further provided with a stent.28. Balloon catheter according to claim 27, wherein the stent is madefrom any of stainless steel, tantalum, titanium alloy, nitinol, cobaltalloy, cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy,cobalt-chromium F562, or magnesium alloys.
 29. Process for obtaining acomposition-eluting balloon catheter (100) having a proximal (20) anddistal (15) end, comprising an elongated catheter tube (6) with aninflation lumen (7) extending therewithin and at least one inflatableballoon (4) having a central longitudinal balloon axis (B-B′) towardsthe distal end (15) in fluid communication with the inflation lumen (7),wherein the balloon (4) in the uninflated condition is configured as oneor a plurality of folded wings (10′, 10″) comprising the steps: a)applying the composition (12′, 12″) at least partially over one or bothsurfaces of the balloon wing; b) folding the balloon wings (10′, 10″)around the central longitudinal balloon axis (B-B′) such that appliedcomposition (12′, 12″) is disposed within the folds of the wings; c)removing excess composition (12′, 12″) from the surface of the foldedballoon; and d) applying a relief structure (30) to the balloon (4) inthe folded condition, comprising at least one groove on the outside ofthe folded wings (10′, 10″), configured to substantially reduce in depthin an inflated state of the balloon (4), wherein the at least one groove(32) crosses the outer edge of at least one folded wing (10′, 10″) andwherein each and every groove is essentially devoid of composition (12′,12″).
 30. Process according to claim 29, wherein: one or both surfacesof the balloon wings (10′, 10″) are at least partially with ahydrophilic coating, prior to application of the composition; and thecomposition (12′, 12″) is applied in a solution of organic solventpreferably methanol, propanol, acetone, or ethyl acetate, morepreferably ethanol, at least partially over the coated surface; 31.Process according to claim 29, wherein the at least one groove (32) hasa directional component which is transverse to the central longitudinalaxis (B-B′) of the balloon (4).
 32. Process according to claim 29,wherein the at least one groove (32) extends at a predetermined anglewith regard to the longitudinal axis of the balloon (4).
 33. Processaccording to claim 29, wherein at least two grooves (33, 34) extend fromthe distal end (15) to the proximal end (20) of the balloon (4) andcross each other.
 34. Process according to claim 29, wherein the atleast one groove (32) is ring or oval shaped, and has a directionalcomponent which is transverse to a central longitudinal axis (B-B′) ofthe balloon (4).
 35. A composition-eluting balloon catheter (100)obtainable by a process according to any of claims 29 to
 34. 36. Ballooncatheter according to claim any of claims 18 to 28, further providedwith a guidewire lumen for a rapid exchange catheter or an over the wirecatheter mode of operation.